The contribution of renewable energy up to 12.4% of energy consumption in the EU27 in 2010

In 2010, energy from renewable sources was estimated1 to have contributed 12.4% of gross final energy consumption in the EU27, compared with 11.7% in 2009 and 10.5% in 2008. The 2009 Directive on renewable energy2 set individual targets for all Member States, such that the EU will reach a 20% share of total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020.

These targets take into account the Member States' different starting points, renewable energy potential and economic performance.

These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union in connection with the EU Sustainable Energy Week3 from 18 to 22 June 2012, which promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The highest share of renewable energy in total consumption in 2010 was found in Sweden (47.9% of renewable energy sources in total consumption), Latvia (32.6%), Finland (32.2%), Austria (30.1%) and Portugal (24.6%), and the lowest in Malta (0.4%), Luxembourg (2.8%), the United Kingdom (3.2%) and the Netherlands (3.8%).

Between 2006 and 2010, all Member States increased their share of renewable energy in total consumption. The largest increases were recorded in Estonia (from 16.1% in 2006 to 24.3% in 2010), Romania (from 17.1% to 23.4%), Denmark (from 16.5% to 22.2%), Sweden (from 42.7% to 47.9%) and Spain (from 9.0% to 13.8%).

The indicator 'Share of renewable energy to the gross final energy consumption' is calculated according to the Article 5 of the Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. This calculation is based on data covered by the Regulation (EC) 1099/2008 on energy statistics and complemented by specific additional data submitted by national administrations to Eurostat. While the statistical systems in some countries are not yet fully developed to meet all requirements of this Directive, national indicators can be considered as estimates.

Renewable energy sources cover solar thermal and photovoltaic energy, hydro (including tide, wave and ocean energy), wind, geothermal energy and biomass (including biological waste and liquid biofuels). The contribution of renewable energy from heat pumps is also covered for the Member States for which this information was available. The energy delivered to final consumers (industry, transport, households, services, etc.) from these sources is the nominator of the target.

The denominator, the gross final energy consumption of all energy sources, covers total energy delivered to final consumers (industry, transport, households, services, etc.) as well as energy lost in the production, transmission and distribution of electricity and heat.